Globalization, Diversity, Justice

Course

2016-2017

Tags

HD

Admissions requirements

History of Philosophy, Contemporary Political Philosophy .

Description

While worldwide average income is relatively high, billions of people are condemned to severe poverty with attendant ills such as low life expectancy, social exclusion, poor health, and illiteracy. In this course we look at the philosophical underpinnings of normative judgments about this state of affairs. In the national context, extreme inequalities are generally viewed as unjust. In a global context this is less obvious. Should these global inequalities be challenged? And if so why? Is it a matter of justice or a matter of humanitarian aid? Do we have special obligations towards our compatriots or is nationality morally arbitrary? In making these assessments, should we take into account the causes of global inequality? In this course we study these and other questions, focusing in particular on the role of diversity shaping processes of globalization.

Course objectives

After successful completion of the course students are able to:

Outline the main arguments of the global justice debate in contemporary political philosophy.

Develop an capacity to critically read, analyse, and interpret difficult philosophical texts at an advanced level.

Independently write a philosophical paper that includes a critical analysis of an established position in the literature

Timetable

Mode of instruction

Assessment

Blackboard

There will be a Blackboard site available for this course. Students will be enrolled at least one week before the start of classes.

Reading list

TBA

Registration

This course is open to LUC students and LUC exchange students. Registration is coordinated by the Curriculum Coordinator. Interested non-LUC students should contact course.administration@luc.leidenuniv.nl.